BENT

BENEFITING TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER

WE TEAMED UP WITH THE BEAUTY KINGS TO HELP PRODUCE THEIR LOS ANGELES EVENT AT BUSBY’S EAST AND SUPPORT THIS GREAT ORGANIZATION.

Bent is an annual variety show that bends the gender binary. We collaborated with an amazing array of performers to celebrate diversity and community while supporting this much needed cause.

Transgender Law Center works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. They envision a future where gender self-determination and authentic expression are seen as basic rights and matters of common human dignity.

aaron cohen

human rights activist

We had the privilege of speaking with Aaron Cohen about what inspires him to do the heroic human rights activism that he's dedicated his life to for the past decade.

Aaron Cohen is a human rights activist who draws his inspiration from the “Jubilee,” the ancient law of debt forgiveness and slave liberation. Cohen has sought to establish a modern-day Jubilee movement to free slaves around the world. Media stories have lauded his work implementing a contemporary Jubilee observance and have called Cohen a “Slave Hunter” for his efforts finding the victims of human trafficking and retrieving thousands from slavery. On these international missions Cohen worked undercover as a “john,” and assessed the phenomenon of slavery from the inside. Aaron Cohen remains active in human rights missions all over the world. Activists interested in supporting this humanitarian field work can contact Aaron Cohen directly at the email: abolishslavery@gmail.com.

Abolish Slavery is a human rights agency that forms task forces to protect victims of human trafficking, prevent the crime from happening, and work to prosecute the criminals, so these victims can have a safe transition out of slavery and into a joyous life.

Kathy Eldon

Founder Creative Visions Foundation

We had the opportunity to sit with Kathy Eldon, founder of Creative Visions, to discuss the future of creative activism.

In 1997, Kathy launched Creative Visions Foundation, a global organization that supports "creative activists" who use their creative talents to change the world around them. CVF was inspired by the life of Kathy's son, Dan Eldon - artist, adventurer and activist - killed in 1993 while on assignment for Reuters News Agency in Somalia.

Creative Visions believes in the power of adventurous spirits who see the world through curious eyes, courageously seeking radical change by sharing the world’s most relevant stories.

The Creative Visions team is committed to creating a community with a high standard of integrity, clarity of vision, and full transparency. By holding exacting standards of trust and shared expectations, they best equip themselves and our community to take risks and thrive.

CVF supports and nurtures the creative activist spirit in every individual they come into contact with.

Self Evident Truths

Los Angeles Portrait Party

WE TEAMED UP WITH THE SELF EVIDENT TRUTHS PROJECT TO help PRODUCE THEIR LOS ANGELES EVENT AT THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL AND SUPPORT THIS AMAZING PROJECT.

The Self Evident Truths project is a photographic document of 10,000 people in the USA that identify as ANYTHING OTHER than 100% straight.

Created by artist iO Tillett Wright, the aim of the project is to humanize a vast community through the simplicity of their faces, showing that we come in all shapes, sizes, races, and social strata, thus making it harder for people to discriminate against us.

This project exists to spread awareness and understanding about a broader spectrum of human sexuality. We want to bring human stories from within the LGBTQ community to the world, so that we can begin to erase the boundaries between “Gay”, “Trans”, “Straight”, and “Other”.

Mark Mahoney

Shamrock Social Club

WE SAT WITH MARK MAHONEY AND DISCUSSED WHAT INSPIRES HIM TO BE A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.

Mark Mahoney is a Boston born tattoo artist, considered the "founding father" of black and grey art with a single needle.

Many in the business consider Mahoney a living legend. He currently owns and is the principal artist at the Shamrock Social Club on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, CA. Mahoney started his work as a tattoo artist in Boston in 1977 (when tattooing there was illegal), where he was in the midst of the 1970s punk scene. He has stayed relevant and influential in the tattoo world ever since.

Mark has done many fundraisers at his tattoo shop for individuals in need and regularly donates Shamrock Social Club gift certificates to charities to be raffled or auctioned off. Mark started tattooing outlaw bikers that were all Vietnam veterans. Those were the cool guys in the neighborhood that he looked up to. He has been a continued supporter of veteran causes over the years. Being influenced by the chicano culture with his tattoo style he has been a supporter of Father Boyle's Homeboy Industries, which provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women. He's recently worked with Woodcraft Rangers, which supports kids and the arts. Mark says his work and art has enabled him to connect with humanity on a deeper level. His advice to people,

"Find out what you're passionate about and if you follow your passion and you see how fulfilled that makes you. You want other people to feel that feeling. You can figure out how to give anybody a leg up. And remember the people that helped you get to the place you are."

share your light

holiday video

We had the honor of partnering with Burgeon Media to produce this holiday video for Food on Foot with Cheri Oteri.

Food on Foot is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the poor and homeless of Los Angeles with nutritious meals, clothing, and assistance in the transition to employment and life off the streets.

for our neighbors

los angeles fundraiser

Able Collective partnered with Handsome Coffee to produce this fundraising event benefiting the International Rescue Committee Syrian Refugee efforts.

We hope to inspire individuals to look beyond the headlines and better understand the massive humanitarian crisis going on in Syria - continuing the ripple effect of activism long after our event is over.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home.